Device and Method for Protecting Cargo

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a device and method for preventing damage to cargo during shipment on a trailer bed. The device consists of a foam cylinder having a density, a height, and a circumferential diameter. The device may alternatively consist of an open foam cylinder defining a hollow space and having a density, a height, an outer circumferential diameter, and an inner circumferential diameter. When the device is placed on the top of a cargo load, and a length of chain is extended over the device and secured to the trailer bed such that the chain does not contact the cargo, the cargo is secured and damage to the cargo from direct contact with the chain is prevented.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates generally to the prevention of damages to cargo loads during shipment of the loads on trailer beds.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The use of tie-down systems, whether straps or chains, in the securing and transportation of large loads is well known in the art. Chains are typically utilized on heavy and/or rolling loads, or on loads that can withstand the tie-down tightening process without undue damage to the goods being secured, such as for securing construction equipment, automobiles, machinery, steel beams, piping, logs and the like. Once the chain is attached to both the object being secured and to the trailer bed, a ratcheting mechanism is then utilized to tighten the chain in order to securely tie the load to the trailer bed. The chains can withstand high tie-down tension with little or no elasticity in the chain itself.

With either type of tie-down, a plurality of the tie-downs is typically placed over the top of the load to be secured, and then secured to the sides of the trailer. This secures the load from shifting to either side of the trailer during transportation. Additional tie-downs are used to secure the load to the front and rear of the trailer to prevent the load from sliding forward or backward on the trailer during transportation.

The very devices used to secure and protect the cargo can also damage it. Chains can slip across the surface of the cargo, causing abrasion, cracking, and dishing. This results in unnecessary product loss and insurance claims. Therefore, a need exists in the art to simultaneously secure cargo and to prevent damage to the cargo during shipment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic representation of a device in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a device in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 3 is diagrammatic representation of a device in accordance with the invention with a chain laid over the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a device and method for preventing damage to cargo during shipment on a trailer bed. The device consists of a foam cylinder having a density, a height, and a circumferential diameter. The device may alternatively consist of an open foam cylinder defining a hollow space and having a density, a height, an outer circumferential diameter, and an inner circumferential diameter. When the device is placed on the top of a cargo load, and a length of chain is extended over the device and secured to the trailer bed such that the chain does not contact the cargo, the cargo is secured and damage to the cargo from direct contact with the chain is prevented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention will be described with respect to particular embodiments and with reference to certain drawings but the invention is not limited thereto but only by the claims. The drawings described are only schematic and are non-limiting. In the drawings, the size of some of the elements may be exaggerated or distorted and not drawn on scale for illustrative purposes. Where an indefinite or definite article is used when referring to a singular noun e.g., “a” or “an,” “the,” this includes a plural of that noun unless something else is specifically stated.

The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the inventions are shown. Indeed, the invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

Disclosed herein is a device for preventing damage to cargo during shipment on a trailer bed. In one embodiment, the device consists of a foam cylinder 100 having a density, a height 102, and a circumferential diameter 104. The foam may be a polymeric foam. The polymeric foam may be selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, polystyrene foam, polyimide foam, and silicone foam. Preferably, the polymeric foam is polyurethane foam. The density of the foam is between 0.01 grams per cubic center and 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter. Preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter. More preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter. Most preferably, the density of the foam is 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter. The circumferential diameter 104 of the foam cylinder 100 is preferably between four and twenty four inches, and most preferably eight inches. The height 102 of the foam cylinder 100 is preferably between four and twenty four inches, and most preferably four inches.

A device for preventing damage to cargo during shipment on a trailer bed may alternatively consist of an open foam cylinder 200 defining a hollow space 202 and having a height 204, a density, an outer circumferential diameter 206, and an outer circumferential diameter 208. The foam may be a polymeric foam. The polymeric foam may be selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, polystyrene foam, polyimide foam, and silicone foam. Preferably, the polymeric foam is polyurethane foam. The density of the foam is between 0.01 grams per cubic center and 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter. Preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter. More preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter. Most preferably, the density of the foam is 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter. The outer circumferential diameter 206 of the open foam cylinder 200 is preferably between four and twenty four inches, and most preferably eight inches, and the the inner circumferential diameter 208 of the open foam cylinder 200 is preferably between two and twelve inches, and most preferably four inches. The height 204 of the open foam cylinder 200 is preferably between four inches and twenty four inches, and most preferably four inches.

One particular advantage of the hollow space 202 defined by the open foam cylinder 200 is that the device may be stored on the trailer bed permanently by “stringing” a length of chain, strap, or rope through the hollow space 202 and then securing or fastening the length of chain, strap, or rope to the trailer bed. The ability to store the device permanently on the trailer bed improves the efficiency of the shipment process and reduces cost by eliminating the need to purchase replacement devices that are lost or damaged by not being securely fastened to the trailer bed.

Also disclosed herein is a method for preventing damage to cargo during shipment on a trailer bed. The method comprises placing a device on a cargo located on a trailer bed, and securing a length of chain 300 to the trailer bed over the device such that the chain does not contact the cargo, wherein the device consists of an open foam cylinder 200 defining a hollow space 202 and having a density, a height 204, an outer circumferential diameter 206, and an inner circumferential diameter 208. The foam may be a polymeric foam. The polymeric foam may be selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, polystyrene foam, polyimide foam, and silicone foam. Preferably, the polymeric foam is polyurethane foam. The density of the foam is between 0.01 grams per cubic center and 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter. Preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter. More preferably, the density of the foam is between 0.10 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter. Most preferably, the density of the foam is 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter. The outer circumferential diameter 206 of the open foam cylinder 200 is preferably between four and twenty four inches, and most preferably eight inches, and the the inner circumferential diameter 208 of the open foam cylinder 200 is preferably between two and twelve inches, and most preferably four inches. The height 204 of the open foam cylinder 200 is preferably between four inches and twenty four inches, and most preferably four inches.

Although the invention has been illustrated and described with respect to one or more implementations, equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

The Abstract of the disclosure will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for preventing damage to cargo, the device consisting of an open foam cylinder defining a hollow space and having a density, a height, an outer circumferential diameter, and an inner circumferential diameter.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the foam is a polymeric foam selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, polystyrene foam, polyimide foam, and silicone foam.
 3. The device of claim 2, wherein the polymeric foam is polyurethane foam.
 4. The device of claim 1, wherein the density of the foam is between 0.01 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.25 grams per cubic centimeter.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein the density of the foam is between 0.05 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.2 grams per cubic centimeter.
 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the density of the foam is between 0.1 grams per cubic centimeter and 0.15 grams per cubic centimeter.
 7. The device of claim 6, wherein the density of the foam is 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter.
 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the height is four inches, the outer circumferential diameter is eight inches, and the inner circumferential diameter is four inches.
 9. A method for preventing damage to cargo, the method comprising: placing a device on a cargo located on a trailer bed; and securing a length of chain to the trailer bed over the device such that the chain does not contact the cargo, wherein the device consists of an open foam cylinder defining a hollow space and having a density, a height, an outer circumferential diameter, and an inner circumferential diameter.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the foam is a polymeric foam selected from the group consisting of polyurethane foam, polyvinyl chloride foam, polystyrene foam, polyimide foam, and silicone foam.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the polymeric foam is polyurethane foam.
 12. The method of claim 9, wherein the density of the foam is 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter.
 13. The method of claim 9, wherein the height is four inches, the outer circumferential diameter is eight inches, and the inner circumferential diameter is four inches. 